A dear friend and fellow author, Dana Eilers, recently complimented me for being so disciplined in my writing, since I write each day. The comment took me by surprise, since I do not think of myself as disciplined. But, I am fortunate to have the time to devote to writing at the present.
I know I am more productive in the evenings, for writing, and more productive during the day for research, editing, and proofing. So, I guess I do follow a schedule of sorts. During the day, I research any plot points that need to be resolved, I proof what I wrote the evening before, and do necessary edits. Sometimes I write, sometimes I don't.
In the evenings, I turn on my favourite radio station and let the words rip. Sometimes I may not write too much because I get hung up on a particular scene or chapter. Sometimes I write 1200 words without batting an eye. So, my output changes each day. And, sometimes I write crap that just needs to be tossed in the trash and I start all over again.
My schedule works for me because I know my best times to write and because I do it each day. Your schedule works for you -- it could be every day, or once a week, but it's yours. Writing should be a pleasure, not a chore. Once it becomes too much of a chore, your writing will suffer. But, you should find a schedule that is right for you and then stick to it. You will find your work will improve and so will your output.
Showing posts with label writing techniques. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing techniques. Show all posts
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Novel Writing 101
As a new novelist, I had read a great deal about structure, outlining, plotting, subplots, and characterization. I have character sheets on each one of my recurring characters, and I always create new ones when I introduce a character. And, I do a basic outline, a plot outline, and a subplot line.
But, when it got down to the nuts and bolts of writing the first book, I didn't know if I should start on page one or not. So, my first novel actually began as a series of scenes, which I expanded into chapters. Eventually, I filled in the necessary background information to make a first draft. Needless to say, I didn't know if fiction was right for me.
With my second novel, I started on page one and progressed, one step (one scene) at a time, from start to finish. The work was more pleasurable, but it did not always follow my outline. I found the more I wrote, the more my characters were not happy with my plot. So, I listened to them, and the novel went along quite well after that.
Now, I am hard at work on my third novel. And, guess what? I'm back to square one. This book seems to favour the scene method. I have been struggling to write it from page one, but my mind keeps jumping to scenes that need to be written now, before the picture in my head is gone.
What have we learned? For me, it doesn't matter how the novel gets written, just as long as it does. Do you have to start at page one? My opinion -- no. I stressed out so much the first time and I love to write. Is there a right or wrong way to write a novel? Again, my opinion -- no. So, why stress -- just write and edit it later.
But, when it got down to the nuts and bolts of writing the first book, I didn't know if I should start on page one or not. So, my first novel actually began as a series of scenes, which I expanded into chapters. Eventually, I filled in the necessary background information to make a first draft. Needless to say, I didn't know if fiction was right for me.
With my second novel, I started on page one and progressed, one step (one scene) at a time, from start to finish. The work was more pleasurable, but it did not always follow my outline. I found the more I wrote, the more my characters were not happy with my plot. So, I listened to them, and the novel went along quite well after that.
Now, I am hard at work on my third novel. And, guess what? I'm back to square one. This book seems to favour the scene method. I have been struggling to write it from page one, but my mind keeps jumping to scenes that need to be written now, before the picture in my head is gone.
What have we learned? For me, it doesn't matter how the novel gets written, just as long as it does. Do you have to start at page one? My opinion -- no. I stressed out so much the first time and I love to write. Is there a right or wrong way to write a novel? Again, my opinion -- no. So, why stress -- just write and edit it later.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Keeping Characters Straight
I set myself up for a daunting task. I have outlined a series of novels, set in ancient Egypt, covering a span of approximately fifteen years. Some characters will appear in every book, some will be recurring characters, though not in every book, and some may appear only once.
The task becomes: how to describe a character in each book without becoming repetitive. Since each book is a stand alone mystery, a reader could pick up any one of them and enjoy it on its own merits. But, too little description may leave a reader unsatisfied, too much may bore the series reader.
Since the characters will also age during the course of the series, it was apparent I needed to know as much about them as possible. I created a character sheet for each one: name, age, height, weight, hair and eye colour, etc. It can be very unpleasant trying to describe a character when you have forgotten their eye colour and have to look back through a 250 page manuscript.
But, more than just the basics, my character sheet allows me to add information from previous books. So I know when my character has a scar on his left shoulder from his last adventure. And, two books from now, it still better be there.
I know it seems like a lot of work, but my characters are important to me and the story. And, in order to make them important to the reader, I want each one to be different, yet remain fresh, through the entire series. Plus, the added benefit of having the information right at hand - it save so much time.
The task becomes: how to describe a character in each book without becoming repetitive. Since each book is a stand alone mystery, a reader could pick up any one of them and enjoy it on its own merits. But, too little description may leave a reader unsatisfied, too much may bore the series reader.
Since the characters will also age during the course of the series, it was apparent I needed to know as much about them as possible. I created a character sheet for each one: name, age, height, weight, hair and eye colour, etc. It can be very unpleasant trying to describe a character when you have forgotten their eye colour and have to look back through a 250 page manuscript.
But, more than just the basics, my character sheet allows me to add information from previous books. So I know when my character has a scar on his left shoulder from his last adventure. And, two books from now, it still better be there.
I know it seems like a lot of work, but my characters are important to me and the story. And, in order to make them important to the reader, I want each one to be different, yet remain fresh, through the entire series. Plus, the added benefit of having the information right at hand - it save so much time.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Favourite Outlining Tool
I've been asked if I outline when I write and the answer has always been an unqualified "yes." But, I outline differently for fiction and non-fiction. Non-fiction outlining is much easier for me - I just do a basic list of what I want to cover and expand from there.
Fiction outlining is much more detailed. Since I'm writing historical fiction, keeping an accurate timeline is important. Plus, each book in the series is a stand alone novel, featuring recurring characters. So, I keep detailed character sheets on each character for review.
My favourite tool, however, is a pad of blank calendar sheets. My books are mysteries set in ancient Egypt - no waiting for forensic lab results, no Miranda warnings, just quick, swift, and often brutal interrogation and justice. I plot out the book on a calendar sheet, from inciting event to conclusion, which keeps me on track, and my chapters are designated by dates from the calendar.
The blank calendar pad has a lovely column on the right, where I can write important information to remember, facts to verify, or questions to answer during the course of the book. Everything I need is in an easy to read format and right next to my computer for easy access.
I don't know how well this would work with a book covering an extended period of time - my books generally span less than thirty days. In ancient times, "evildoers" were not imprisoned - they were banished, forced into labour for restitution, recieved a number of lashes and released, or executed within twenty-four hours of sentencing. How's that for swift justice?
Fiction outlining is much more detailed. Since I'm writing historical fiction, keeping an accurate timeline is important. Plus, each book in the series is a stand alone novel, featuring recurring characters. So, I keep detailed character sheets on each character for review.
My favourite tool, however, is a pad of blank calendar sheets. My books are mysteries set in ancient Egypt - no waiting for forensic lab results, no Miranda warnings, just quick, swift, and often brutal interrogation and justice. I plot out the book on a calendar sheet, from inciting event to conclusion, which keeps me on track, and my chapters are designated by dates from the calendar.
The blank calendar pad has a lovely column on the right, where I can write important information to remember, facts to verify, or questions to answer during the course of the book. Everything I need is in an easy to read format and right next to my computer for easy access.
I don't know how well this would work with a book covering an extended period of time - my books generally span less than thirty days. In ancient times, "evildoers" were not imprisoned - they were banished, forced into labour for restitution, recieved a number of lashes and released, or executed within twenty-four hours of sentencing. How's that for swift justice?
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